Complete Newb, Plz Help

[derekryans]

Before I start my question, I'd like to warn everybody that I am really new to linux. I decided to help my friend because I have some experience fixing PCs and MACs but unfortunately I just haven't gotten a hang of the Linux yet.

So here's the problem: I want to take my friend's computer and replace the Linux with Windows XP. Unless of course, there's an easier way to make everything look like the Windows interface. Now I know you might ask why I want to replace Linux with Windows XP...well the thing is...my friend won this laptop from a contest at work and she really has no sense of computer literacy.

Some details about this laptop:
Brand: ASUS
Model: ASUS EEE PC 4G
Ram: 512MB
HD: 4GB.
Side problem: it's a Chinese computer.

So the problem is, I have no idea how to use "fdisk" on the laptop because I could hardly find the command prompt. I don't even know what the "server" is for this Linux...or if it's called a server at all. I tried doing some research online but I'm just stuck at a dead end.

Oh and the PC is one of those mini ones that looks like a net book, so no CD drive. I was wondering if I could possibly use a USB drive to boot windows from it? I've already managed to transfer my iso file to USB to boot thought I haven't been able to test and see if it actually works. My USB is 8gb so I can't do the FAT-16 format that other sites have mentioned to do.

I hope that I am detailed enough, if not, I am sorry. I just really have no experience with this system. I also hope that you guys can see the PDF I attached so you can get an idea of what the desktop looks like.

Thanks ahead of time for anyone willing to help! I look forward to being able to conquer my first quest in Linux!

[reed9]

You can make an installable usb flash drive with Win XP.
WinToFlash - Install Windows from usb - Home page

Depending on how the internal ssd is formatted, windows may not see it. Windows has trouble with linux partition formats. Also, you can't partition a mounted drive, so you won't be able to repartition the ssd drive from the installed OS. Make a USB install of a linux distro, such as Parted Magic, and reformat the drive to FAT32, then boot up the XP installer.

You can use unetbootin for an easy way to make bootable linux USB drives.

[derekryans]

so let me get this straight, and get the steps all in order
1. i should create a bootable USB with a linux distribution on it
2. i should install that distribution onto the laptop
3. use that distribution's console to find the "fdisk" or whatever it is that they use to reformat the drive to FAT32
4. create a bootable USB with Windows on it, and use it to run windows onto the laptop?

i'm going to ask yet another stupid question...how do i install a linux distro from a USB? do i go into command prompt and type "sudo apt-get install" if that is how i do it, how can i make sure it knows to find the file from the USB?

thanks for all your help! sorry i'm kind of slow at picking this stuff up. it's not my computer and my Chinese isn't very good so i really don't want to screw anything up lol.

[reed9]

2. i should install that distribution onto the laptop

Nope. You should run it as a live environment, and use gparted to format the drive. Well, you could use fdisk or cfdisk, but gparted is easier.

[rokytnji]

I belong to EEEPC Forums and have found their wiki to be invaluable for anything relating to a EEE PC from Asus whether Linux or Windows Related. For your situation I suggest looking at

Welcome to EeeUser! [EeeUser Eee PC Wiki]

[derekryans]

Reed, I have no idea how to run it as a live environment...? and i tried to install gparted once but it said the file couldn't be found.

Roky, the guides seem to point to installing XP along with keeping Linux? wouldn't it make it really slow because the hd only has 4 gbs to start with?

[reed9]

Reed, I have no idea how to run it as a live environment...? and i tried to install gparted once but it said the file couldn't be found.

Well, first, it might not be necessary. So you can just try installing windows, and it the installer fails to detect the hardware, it could be because you need to format it.

But, to do, install something like parted magic, which is a specialty distro specifically to handle partitioning tasks, on a flash drive using unetbootin. Put the USB in, restart the computer, enter the bios and change the boot order to boot from USB. I don't know what it is specifically on the eee, but it's probably pressing F2 or ESC during the screen with the Asus logo. There will be a little note saying press this for setup or boot order. You're going to need to find out how to do that to install XP from a USB drive as well.

[rokytnji]

Roky, the guides seem to point to installing XP along with keeping Linux?

Not on this page below

Installing Microsoft Windows XP from usb device (usb-stick, usb-hdd, SD card) simpler method [EeeUser Eee PC Wiki]